An examination of initiation rituals in a UK sporting institution and the impact on group development.

Autor/inn/en	Thompson, Jamie; Johnstone, James; Banks, Curt
Titel	An examination of initiation rituals in a UK sporting institution and the impact on group development. Gefälligkeitsübersetzung: Eine Untersuchung der Initiationsriten an einem britischen Sportinstitut und die Auswirkung auf die Gruppenentwicklung.
Quelle	In: European Sport management quarterly, 18 (2018) 5, S. 544-562 PDF als Volltext Link als defekt meldenVerfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	online; gedruckt; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1618-4742; 1746-031X
DOI	10.1080/16184742.2018.1439984
Schlagwörter	Gruppenverhalten; Gruppenbildung; Gruppendynamik; Sportstätte; Engagement; Ritual; Mannschaft; Sport; Sportsoziologie; Management; Universität; Einführung; Großbritannien
Abstract	Research question: This study investigates the impact of initiation rituals on group development. Through the application of chaos theory, we examine how the trajectory of team development is inherently unpredictable due to the complex nature and uncertainty of initiation rituals. Research methods: The paper draws upon 42 interviews with student athletes from a UK university. The UK context provides a new perspective on initiation activities that are currently dominated by studies in a US setting. Results and findings: From our coding of interview data four themes emerge: Forced assimilation, Dejection, Commitment, and Performance. The results find initiation rituals force sport teams into a period of chaos where outcomes can vary from improved performance to dejection. Thus, sports teams can experience any, or all of the themes present in our findings, and previous group cohesion is an unreliable predictor for successful group development post-initiation. Implications: Theoretically, we further understanding of group development as an unpredictable system due to the nuances and complexities associated with initiations that stimulate periods of chaos. Practically we find administration of bureaucratic control is an ineffective mechanism for constraining initiation activities, and instead it is team leaders and captains who should guide behaviour towards constructive and enjoyable initiations associated with improved commitment and performance of sporting teams. (Autor).
Erfasst von	Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft, Bonn
Update	2019/2